INTRODUCING:
EDC Alumni [PT 1]
Growing up in the dance world provides so many benefits in life outside of the dance studio. From time management and goal setting to teamwork and adaptability, a dancer’s life is forever changed in such a positive way from the countless hours spent in the studio.
We got in touch with some of our EDC alumni to see what they’ve been up to, and to check in with how growing up as a dancer has impacted their lives. This blog will be delivered as a two part series 🙂
Jaiden Fedoruk
What have you been up to since graduating and leaving EDC?
University! I’m in my third year of university, completing a Bachelors of Science (double majoring in Biology and Sustainability 🙂 I’m located in Halifax, NS right now for school, and other than schoolwork I mainly spend my time reading, exploring the city, and catching up with friends when I can! It’s been a blast moving to a different province, and I’ve met so many interesting people.
What are the top 3 things you learned from being a dancer that has carried over to your adult life?
TIME MANAGEMENT! University schedules are so hectic and busy, so having experience in managing my time between school, extracurriculars, and relaxation is key! Dance really helped me learn how to manage my priorities!
Accountability: Dance has helped me to cultivate my accountability – when I’ve made a mistake, there’s no use wallowing over it, or trying to hide it – just be honest and say you don’t know something, and ask for help if you need it! It’s much easier on yourself, and everyone else involved.
Discipline: There are days I dread doing school work, going to work, etc, but dance helped me to manage my self-discipline. If I’m committed to something I try my utmost to do it, because I made that a commitment!
Do you keep up with any dancing since graduation?
Not so much since the start of the pandemic, but Halifax has a great drop-in studio I stopped by for classes in Musical Theater and Contemporary during my first year. It’s a great stress-reliever, and a way to keep active!
Have you stayed connected with your EDC dance team since graduating?
Not as much as I’d hoped, but Emily Andrews ended up coming to my university (Dalhousie) as well so we see each other on campus fairly often!
What is one of the biggest life lessons that growing up as a dancer has taught you?
Probably accountability! I’m responsible for my actions, and it’s my job to keep up with those responsibilities. Just like practicing routines, if you committed to something, it’s your job to be responsible for it. And if you don’t know something, or are unsure, or mess up: just ask someone for help! You aren’t going to learn anything without reaching out, and dance helped me to nurture that ability.
What is the biggest part about dancing at EDC that you miss?
The community! Everyone is so supportive and helpful towards each other, and I miss having that large community. If you needed any help you knew you could turn to anyone and they’d do their best to help you.
What is one thing you wish you could tell your younger self when you were still dancing at EDC?
Savour it! It doesn’t feel like it at the moment, but these will be some of the years you will miss the most!
Raegan Vanberg
What have you been up to since graduating and leaving EDC?
Since leaving EDC I had moved to Edmonton for a year after graduating high school and then to Toronto to further pursue my dance education and career! While in Edmonton I stayed busy with dance drop-ins and classes in order to work and save up for college which I attended in Toronto in 2020 and officially moved to Toronto this past August to continue my education.
What are the top 3 things you learned from being a dancer that has carried over to your adult life?
The top three things I have learned from being a dancer that I have carried into my adult life have got to be my determination and drive to accomplish my goals, my time management and organization and finally my ability to work well with others in my post-secondary education and work life.
Do you keep up with any dancing since graduation?
I definitely do keep up with my dancing. While I was working to save up for college I found classes I could take that would still challenge me as well as taking some classes in dance styles I hadn’t tried before. I am now currently in my second year of the Dance Performance program at Centennial College which has broadened my understanding of dance as well as given me the opportunity to train in various styles of dance.
Have you stayed connected with your EDC dance team since graduating?
I have stayed connected with a few close friends since graduating and love seeing updates on the current EDC team through the Elements Instagram!
What is one of the biggest life lessons that growing up as a dancer has taught you?
One of the biggest life lessons I have learned from growing up as a dancer is to not be so hard on myself. As long as I stay focused and work towards my goals I will accomplish them even if they require more attention and time to master.
What is the biggest part about dancing at EDC that you miss?
The thing I miss the most about dancing at EDC has got to be the electric energy shared between all of the dancers when we would perform together or watch our teammates perform.
What is one thing you wish you could tell your younger self when you were still dancing at EDC?
I wish I could have told my younger self to always push myself that little bit extra in class because our time in the studio space is the most important part of our dance training. How you practice your art reflects how you perform it.